Restored: The Tutwiler Dresser
When I first picked up this piece of furniture a few years ago, my initial thought was “oh my gosh, I wish walls could talk.” Then I realized that phrase is completely unfitting given the story behind this truly unique treasure. Because in this particular instance, the walls that once surrounded this dresser are literally no longer standing. This dresser, however, survived well past the walls upon it once lived. It is so much more than just a dresser. It is part of our history and what was once referred to as the “Grand Dame of Southern Hotels.”
This dresser was originally in the Tutwiler Hotel. Not the Tutwiler Hotel that stands today, but the original Tutwiler built in 1914 on the southeast corner of 5th Avenue North and 20th Street in downtown Birmingham.
The Grand Legacy of Tutwiler Hotel
In 1913 Robert Jemison Jr. and George Crawford, two prominent businessmen in Birmingham, enagaged the help of Major Edward M. Tutwiler of Tutwiler Coal, Coke & Iron Company, in one of those most elaborate real estate investments in the city’s history. During this time the steel industry was booming. Big wigs like J.P. Morgan were frequently visiting. When complaints began to surface about the lack of decent places to stay in the city, these gentleman took it upon themselves to fix that problem. They were going to open a hotel like nothing the city had ever even dreamed of, one that embodied elegance, sophistication, and sheer luxury.
One June 15, 1914 the architectural masterpiece known as the Tutwiler Hotel first opened its doors. A symbol of refined luxury that would leave an indelible mark on the city. Filled with Easter lilies, heavy Elizabethan style furniture and marble walls, the Birmingham Age-Herald deemed the lobby to be the “Biggest Lobby in America.”
By the 1920s, the lobby whirled with visitors taking advantage of the luxurious amenities. The amenities included various doctors’ offices, a Western Union telegraph office, Tutwiler Cigar Stand, a flower shop, beauty shop, barber shop, and even a drug store. For the next 60 years the hotel remained at the core of the social and hospitality scene for the high society. Guests such as President Warren G. Harding and Eleanor Roosevelt, traveled from near and far to visit the glamorous Tutwiler Hotel. The hotel hosted a press conference for Charles Lindbergh in 1927 and actress Tallulah Bankhead’s post-wedding celebration in 1937.
Offering big band music 6 nights a week, the Tutwiler Hotel became more than just a place to stay over the years. Its corridors echoed with the laughter, conversations, and aspirations of the many guests who walked through its doors. Business tycoons negotiated deals in its lavish suites, while tourists soaked in its rich heritage.
The Tutwiler Hotel had seen the world change around it, surviving wars and economic fluctuations. It became a silent witness to history, serving as a refuge for distinguished guests and locals alike. But time, as it does, took its toll on the Grand Dame. The hotel closed for good on April 1st, 1972, and scheduled to be brought to the ground by explosive charges in January of 1974. In preparation for its demolishment, a liquidation sale was held to clear out furniture, carpets, light fixtures, linens, and appliances. Most everything was sold for pennies on the dollar.
In June of 1972, a young woman from Florida happened across this liquidation sale. She was young, broke, and trying to find her first job out of college in Birmingham. This dresser was the only piece of furniture she could afford. What I love most about this, is that at the time I’m sure this dresser served as a quick fix. Something cheap and functional to use until she got her feet off the ground. But in reality, it turned into something so much more. Something that remains part of Birmingham’s success story. She kept it for a long time before giving it to her son and his wife for their first house. They gave it to me and now I get the opportunity to share it with you.
Available for purchase at The Mercantile August 2, 2023.